Psychology of Obedience: Agentic State and Legitimacy of Authority

Flashcards covering the psychological states and situational factors influencing obedience, including the agentic state, autonomous state, binding factors, and legitimacy of authority.

What is the definition of the agentic state?

A mental state where we feel no personal responsibility for our behaviour because we believe ourselves to be acting for an authority figure, i.e. as their agent.

How does the agentic state affect a person's conscience?

It frees the individual from the demands of their conscience and allows them to obey even a destructive authority figure.

Under what condition are we likely to act as an agent for another person?

When we perceive someone to be higher up the social hierarchy than us.

What do individuals feel if they believe what they are doing is wrong while in an agentic state?

They might feel a sense of anxiety or moral strain, but feel powerless due to their lower position in the social hierarchy.

What is the definition of the autonomous state?

A state where we are independent and have free will over our actions and where a person sees themselves as responsible for their own actions.

What is the 'agentic shift'?

The transition between an autonomous state to an agentic state.

When does an agentic shift typically occur?

When you are ordered by an authority figure, due to the great power they have as a result of their position in the social hierarchy.

What are 'binding factors' in the context of obedience?

Aspects of a situation which allow an individual to either ignore or minimise the damaging effect of their behaviour and thus reduce the ‘moral strain’ and personal responsibility.

According to the notes, how did participants in Milgram's original study use binding factors?

They could shift responsibility to the learner by saying the learner was foolish to take part or denying the damage they caused.

What is the 'legitimacy of authority' explanation of obedience?

An explanation suggesting we are more likely to obey people we perceive to have authority over us, justified by the individual’s position of power within a social hierarchy.

Why do most people accept that authority figures should exercise social power?

Because it allows society to function smoothly.

What is one consequence of legitimate authority regarding social control?

Some people are granted the power to punish others, and we trust them to exert their power appropriately.

What is 'destructive authority'?

When authority figures exploit their legitimate authority to behave in cruel and dangerous ways.